Conjunctions

Sakshi Education

A conjunction is a word that connects sentences, clauses and words. Conjunctions are connectors. They connect (join) words or groups of words in a sentence. Conjunctions are divided into three groups:
1. Coordinating
2. Correlative
3. Subordinating

(A) Coordinating Conjunctions
These join words, phrases, or clauses of equal rank. The most common coordinating conjunctions are FANBOYS
• For - Shows REASON
o I like to read mystery novels, for 1 love suspense.
• And-Shows ADDITION
o She goes to the beach, and she takes her dog.
• Nor - Adds a NEGATIVE
o I don't like garlic, nor do I like onions.
• But - Shows OPPOSITION
o He won't get into the concert, but he can try.

Or - Shows ALTERNATIVE

o I will take my kids to a movie, or I will stay home.

Yet - Shows EXCEPTION

o I want to lose weight, yet I eat chocolate daily.

So - Shows a RESULT

o I want to learn English, so I can pass the examination.

They can join nouns to nouns, pronouns to pronouns, verbs to verbs, adjectives to adjectives, or adverbs to adverbs. This kind of pairing is what we mean by "equal rank." The words must be the same part of speech. The only exception is that nouns and pronouns can be joined, since pronouns can replace nouns. We do not connect an adjective with an adverb, for instance, because we do not use the two parts of speech in the same way. Here are some examples of correct usage:

Types of Conjunctions
Coordinating conjunction - Joins words or word groups of equal rank. E.g. and, or, either, neither, nor, yet, for, but, etc.
Example: Maria and Jim were present yesterday.
Neither of the boys played the game.
The car keys are either in your bag or in your pocket.

Subordinating conjunction: Begins with a dependent clause and joins it to the rest of the sentence. E.g. after, although, as, because, before, how, if, in order that, since, so that, though, unless, until, when, where, while.
Example:
He offered me money so that I could buy the car.
She came after her dancing class.
Rohit did not look in my direction because he was angry.
Conjunctive adverb - Connects two sentences in an adverbial manner. E.g. also, anyhow, besides, consequently, furthermore, however, in addition, in fact, likewise, nevertheless, otherwise, still, then, therefore, thus, etc.
Correlative Conjunction: is used in pairs. E.g. both-and, so-that, neither-nor, either-or, whether-or, not only-but also. "

Get Your Conjunctions Right
THAN
Adjectives and adverbs in the comparative degree are followed by the conjunction 'than'.
THAT
As a conjunction, 'that' cannot be used in or as:
(i) A sentence in direct narration.
(ii) An interrogative adverb or interrogative pronoun in the direct narrative.
For example:
1. Incorrect: He said that. "I have lost everything in this contest."
Correct: He said, "I have lost everything in this contest."
2. Incorrect: He asked that why you went there.
Correct: He asked why you went there.
3. Incorrect: I want to know that how much you have spent so far.
Correct: I want to know how much you have spent so far.

SINCE
Whenever 'since' is used as a conjunction in the sense of 'from' or 'after' it should be preceded by a verb in the present perfect tense and followed by a verb in the past indefinite tense.
1. Incorrect: Many rules changes since I had left.
Correct: Many rules have changed since I left.
2. Incorrect: A week passed since I have been contacting you.
Correct: A week has passed since I tried to contact you.

UNLESS, IF
Unless means 'if not', so it should not be followed by 'not'.
Incorrect: Unless you do not meet him, he will do nothing for you.
Correct: Unless you meet him, he will do nothing for you.

LEST
Two corrections are connected with the conjunction 'lest'.
1 . Incorrect: Learn properly lest you should not forget.
Correct: Learn properly lest you should forget.
2. Incorrect: Remove the lid lest it would be blown off.
Correct: Remove the lid lest it should be blown off.

LIKE-AS
'Like' is placed before nouns in the simpler type of comparison. But if the noun is followed by a verb, i.e., if there is a clause of comparison, 'as' is used.
(i) He fought like a brave man.
(ii) When in Rome, do as the Roman do.

BOTH-AND
'both' should not be used with 'as well as' because both the words mean the same thing; 'and' should be used instead.
Incorrect: Both Rajiv as well as I took part in this debate.
Correct: Both Rajiv and I took part in this debate.

ALTHOUGH/THOUGH-YET
'Although' should be followed by 'yet' or a comma.
Incorrect: Although he is rich, but he is greedy.
Correct: Although he rich, yet he is greedy.

AS-AS
'As - as' is used for comparison in affirmative sentences.
Incorrect: He is good at tennis as his brother.
Correct: He is as good at tennis as his brother

SO-AS
'so - as' is used in negative sentences and for comparison.
Incorrect: This pen is so good as that one.
Correct: This pen is as good as that one.

SO - THAT
Incorrect: He played for long that he was exhausted.
Correct: He played for so long that he was exhausted.

SUCH-AS
Incorrect: There is no such thing which you are mentioning.
Correct: There is no such thing as you are mentioning.

SUCH - THAT
When 'such' is used for emphasis, it should be followed by 'that'.
Incorrect: Such was his pride, as he was not prepared to listen to anyone.
Correct: Such was his pride that he was not prepared to listen to anyone.

NOT ONLY-BUT ALSO
(i) The verb should agree with the noun.
(ii) 'not only' and 'but also' should follow the verb.
(iii) The part to be emphasized comes after 'but also'.
1. Incorrect: Not only he but his friends also has responded to may call.
Correct: Non only he but his friends also have responded to my call.
2. Incorrect: He is not only known for his bravery but also for his goodness.
Correct: He is known not only for his bravery but also for his goodness.

SCARCELY-WHEN
'Scarcely' should be followed by 'when' and not by 'than', 'then', 'but', etc.
Incorrect: He had scarcely initiated the debate then the members walked out.

HARDLY - WHEN (BEFORE)
With 'hardly' we can use only 'when' or 'before'.
Incorrect: He had hardly come then he was asked to go back.
Correct: He had hardly come before (when) he was asked to go back.

NO SOONER- THAN
(i) As an adverb it must be followed by the verb 'did' or 'had'.
(ii) Being in the comparative degree, it should be followed by 'than'.
1. Incorrect: No sooner he came than I left the place.
Correct: No sooner did he come than I left the place.
2. Incorrect: No sooner did he come when I sent for him.
Correct: No sooner did he come than I sent for him.

NO OTHER-THAN
Incorrect: He has no other business but backbiting.
Correct: He has no other business than backbiting.

NOTHING ELSE - BUT
Incorrect: It is nothing else than hypocrisy.
Correct: It is nothing else but hypocrisy.

WHETHER-OR
Incorrect: Whether you will pass, I do not know.
Correct: Whether you will pass or not. I do not know.

Assignment-1
Direction-
Fill in the Blanks
1. Mary____ Joanne are my sisters.
a. and
b. or
c. but
d. so
e. None of these
2 . 1 will study every night I can pass the test.
a. and
b. or
c. but
d. so
e. None of these
3. The forecast is for rain,_______ we will go to the game anyway.
a. and
b. or
c. but
d. so
e. None of these
4. We can drive into the city, __we can take the bus.
a. and
b. or
c. but
d. so
e. None of these
5. He did not have enough money for a soda and chips, _______ he just bought a soda
a. and
b. or
c. but
d. so
e. None of these
6 .1 wanted to call you last night,____ my brother was on the phone.
a. and
b. or
c. but
d. so
e. None of these
7. Tim____Matt went to a basketball game with grandpa.
a. and
b. or
c. but
d. so
e. None of these
8 .1 can pick you up after school,________ you can walk home.
a. and
b. or
c. but
d. so
e. None of these
9. There was no food in the refrigerator, _____ we ordered pizza.
a. and
b. or
c. but
d. so
e. None of these
10 .1 didn't do all my work, ____ I did my homework.
a. and
b. or
c. but
d. so
e. None of these

Answers
1. and
2. so

3. But

4. or

5. so

6. but

7. And

8. Or

9. So

10. But

Assignment -2
Direction: Add a comma and a coordinating conjunction between the two sentences.
1. Most American women work ______ many of them have challenging jobs.
2. Many elderly people drive slowly _____ they have very few accidents.
3. Cats can be very friendly _____ they are very independent.
4. Don't drive when you're drunk____you might have an accident.
5. Bill must pay his college tuition___ he has to find a good summer job.
6. Many people want to get a Master's degree in business administration____ most people with M.B.A.'s earn a lot of money.
7 . I don't own a motorcycle ____ do I want one.
8. The track team travelled to the conference meet ____ they won second place.
9 Jack walked to the library _____ he forgot his library card.
10. Classes are over for the day _____ we can go home.

Answers:
1. And
2. So

3. But

4. Or

5. So
6. For

7. Nor

8. And

9. But

10. So

(B) Correlative Conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions are used in pairs, in order to show the relationship between the ideas expressed in different parts of a sentence. For instance, in the following example, the expression
Either ... or is used to indicate that the ideas expressed in the two clauses represent two alternative choices of action.
e.g. Either you should study harder, or you should take a different course.
The most commonly used correlative conjunctions are both... and, either... or and neither... nor.
In the table below, each pair of correlative conjunctions is accompanied by an example of its use. Note that in the construction if... then, the word then can usually be omitted.

Correlative Conjunctions
Both... and He is both intelligent and good-natured,
Either... or I will either go for a walk or read a book,
Neither... nor He is neither rich nor famous.
Hardly... when He had hardly begun to work, when he was interrupted.
if... then lf that is true, then what happened is not surprising.
No sooner... than No sooner had I reached the corner, than the bus came.
Not only... but also she is not only clever, but also hard-working.
Rather... than I would rather go swimming than go to the library.
Scarcely... when scarcely had we left home, when it started to rain.
What with... and What with all her aunts, uncles and cousins, she has many relatives
Whether... or Have you decided whether you will come or not?
Though ...yet though he was ill yet he came for class

Assignment – 3
Direction: Match the two halves:

Sentence Half - A	Sentence Half - B
A1.Both Peter	B1. But also we have enough money.
A2.Not only do we want to go	B2. Neither true nor realistic.
A3.Either Jack will have to work more hours	B3. Not only wise to listen to your parents but also interesting.
A4.That story was	B4. And I are coming next week.
A5.Students not only study hard	B5. Either his career or his hobby.
A6.In the end he had to choose	B6.both my laptop and my cell phone on holiday.
A7.Sometimes it is	B7.but also use their instincts if they do not know the answer.
A8.I would love to take	B8.or we will have to hire somebody new.

Answers
Al- B4
A2-B1
A3-B8
A4-B2
A5-B7
A6-B5
A7-B3
A8-B6

(C) Subordinating Conjunctions
A subordinating conjunction joins a dependent clause to an independent clause.
A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb.
At the same time, the conjunction supplies information about how the two clauses are related.
The conjunction may place the actions in time (while, as soon as, before, since).
It may relate cause and result (since, why, because).
It may state a condition (unless, if, although) or a purpose (so, that) or it may make a comparison (than)

Among the most commonly used subordinating conjunctions are the following:

After	in order to	that
Although	in order that	Though
As	Lest	unless
as if	now that	until
as long as	once	till
as though	or else	When
because	providing	whenever
before	provided	where
even if	rather than	where as
even though	still	wherever
how	since	whether
if	so as to	while
if only	so that
in case	supposing
why

USING SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS
As

1. because: As he is my friend, I will help him.
2. when: We watched as the plane took off.

After
1. Later in time: After the train left, we went home.

Although or though
1. In spite of the fact that: Although it was after midnight, we did not feel tired.

Before
1. Earlier than: I arrived before the stores were open.

Because
1. For the reason that: We had to wait, because we arrived early.

If
1. On condition that: If she is here, we will see her.

Lest

1. For fear that: I watched closely, lest he make a mistake.
Note the use of the Subjunctive Mood in the clause with lest.

Providing or provided
1.on condition that: All will be well, providing you are careful.

Since
1. from a past time: I have been here since the sun rose.

2. as, because: Since you are here, you can help me.

So that

1. Consequently: It was raining, so we did not go out
2. in order that: I am saving money so I can buy a bicycle.

Note: When used with the meaning in order that, so is usually followed by that in formal English,
e.g. I am saving money so that I can buy a bicycle.

Supposing
1. if: Supposing that happens, what will you do?

Than
1. used in comparisons: He is taller than you are.

Unless
1. Except when, if not: Unless he helps us, we cannot succeed.

Until or till
1. Up to the time when: I will wait until I hear from you.

Whereas
1. Because: Whereas this is a public building, it is open to everyone.

2. on the other hand: He is short, whereas you are tall.

Whether

1. if: I do not know whether she was invited.

While

1. at the time when: While it was snowing, we played cards.
2. on the other hand: He is rich, while his friend is poor.

3. although: While I am not an expert, 1 will do my best.
In addition, the following phrases are often used at the beginning of subordinate clauses.

As if
1. in a similar way: She talks as if she knows everything.

As long as
1. if: As long as we cooperate, we can finish the work easily.

2. while: He has lived there as long as I have known

As soon as

1. Immediately when: Write to me as soon as you can.

As though

1. in a similar way: It looks as though there will be a storm.

Even if

1. in spite of a possibility: I am going out even if it rains.

In case

1. because of a possibility: Take a sweater in case it gets cold.

Or else

1. otherwise: Please be careful, or else you may have an accident.

So as to

1.in order to: I hurried so as to be on time.

In the following examples, the italicised/bold words are subordinating conjunctions:

• Light the flare if it gets dark.

Work only when it is safe to do so.

• He would not swim in the ocean because he had seen a movie about
• Sharks.

• The nurse grew queasy whenever she saw blood.
• Pull off the road so that you don't stop traffic.

• Some subordinating conjunctions can occur at the beginning of a sentence
• instead of in the middle. Even in this new position, they are still used to join

• dependent clauses to independent clauses. Note the examples below:

• Before you change the tire, you must find a jack.

• Although you drive well, you are not a good mechanic.
• After John left, Mary cried.

• As long as it rains, we cannot play croquet.

Assignment - 4
ERROR SPOTTING AND SENTENCE CORRECTION

1. (1) Hardly she finished (2) her duty when (3) the bell (4) started ringing. (5) No error.

2. My cousin composes not only (1)/ the music, but (2)/aIso signs the songs for (3)/ the major (4)/Broadway musicals

3. The equipment is in such a poor condition that we have no alternative to buy new ones.
(A) Many alternative like
(B) Any alternative except
(C) No other alternative
(D) No alternative but
(E) No correction required

4. No sooner he had returned home than his mother felt unhappy
(1) he has returned
(2) had he returned
(3) did he return
(4) did he returned
(5) No correction

5. The management has been left with no option else to change the branch timings to avoid losing business.
(A) but to change
(B) except the change of
(C) unless it changes with
(D) other than the changing
(E) No correction required

Answers

Q	A	Remarks
1	1	Hardly must be followed by "had"
2	1	"not only composes"
3	D	"but” is necessary to show exception
4	2	'had' should come before the subject 'he'
5	A	"but” is needed to show exception